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Grizzly Bear Relocated from Lizard Creek Area

In an effort to provide for public safety and foster the future welfare of the animal, a 212-pound male grizzly bear was captured and relocated from the Lizard Creek campground at Grand Teton National Park on Monday afternoon, July 29. The bear was radio-collared and released northwest of Grand Teton in coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grizzly bear recovery coordinator, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, and Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

The 3 to 4 year-old grizzly bear had been frequenting the Lizard Creek campground for several days as it actively foraged on native vegetation. Efforts by park rangers and biologists to haze the bear away from this developed area were unsuccessful.

The grizzly was not a food-conditioned bear, and it did not receive any human food rewards during the time it remained in and around the campground. The decision to relocate the animal for public safety resulted from its repeated and frequent return to the campground, and its relative ease around people.

As a temporary safety measure before the grizzly bear was captured, a restriction was implemented on Sunday evening for hard-sided camping units at Lizard Creek campground. That restriction was lifted after the bear was caught and relocated Monday. Restrictions for hard-sided camping only are in place at several campgrounds throughout the greater Yellowstone area in response to the regular presence of grizzly bears at those locations.

This young grizzly bear was in good physical condition. Although part of the greater Yellowstone grizzly bear population, it had not been previously identified and has no documented history with Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team biologists.